Ecology_tute 02_Ecological Pyramids

14. What is meant by “Ecological Pyramids”? What are the criteria taken into consideration when
constructing Ecological pyramids?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

15. What is shown by “Energy pyramids”?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

16.
Ecology_tute 02_Ecological Pyramids

.16.1 By considering the above diagram, if the energy fixed by producers shown by the above pyramid
was 110,000 kJ , calculate the amount of energy transferred to the Primary consumers along the
pyramid of energy

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

16.2 Calculate the amount of energy lost to the surroundings while energy is transferred from the
producer to the primary consumer. Explain how this energy loss would have taken place.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

16.3 Calculate the amount of energy transferred from the primary consumer to the secondary
consumer and explain how this energy transfer takes place.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

16.4 Calculate the amount of energy transferred to the apex predator along the energy pyramid.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ecology_tute 02_Ecological Pyramids

16.5 Express this energy as a percentage of the total energy fixed by the producers in the eco-system.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

16.6 Why doesn’t the food chain incorporated to construct the energy pyramid exceed 5 links/ 5 trophic
levels?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

17. Can energy pyramids be inverted? Explain with reference to the flow of energy in the Eco-system

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

18. What is meant by a “Bio- Mass Pyramid?” What are the criteria taken into consideration when
constructing a Bio- Mass pyramid?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

19. Define the “Bio- Mass” calculated in each level of the Bio-mass pyramid.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Ecology_tute 02_Ecological Pyramids

20. The above diagram shows the bio-mass transfer along the successive trophic levels in a terrestrial
eco-system (Grass-land)

20 i. Calculate the percentage of bio mass present in the herbivores as a percentage of the bio mass
present in producers.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

20 ii. Express the bio mass available in the top most carnivores as a percentage of the bio mass available
in the producers

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

20 iii. “Bio-Mass pyramids for terrestrial eco-systems such as forests, Grasslands and croplands are
upright” Do you agree with this statement? Explain.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Ecology_tute 02_Ecological Pyramids

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

21.

Explain the reason for the Bio-Mass pyramid of aquatic eco-systems such as ponds being inverted

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

22. What is meant by a “Number pyramid”? What are the parameters taken into consideration when
constructing a “Number pyramid? “

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Ecology_tute 02_Ecological Pyramids

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

23.

By considering the above number pyramid predict the shape of the pyramid obtained for the general
number pyramids in grass lands and forests and state the reasons

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

24. Sketch the number pyramid obtained for the pond eco- system where the trophic levels included
the unicellular green algae, small fish, Big fish and turtles respectively.
Ecology_tute 02_Ecological Pyramids

25. Sketch the number pyramid obtained for an eco-system where a community of parasites exists if
the successive trophic levels include a rose bush, Green fly, lady birds and parasites (bacteria)

26. What is meant by a “Disturbed pyramid/ Disrupted pyramid”?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...............

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

27. Construct the “Number Pyramid” for the following food chain

Oak tree  Caterpillars  Tit bits  Sparrow hawk. Deduce the shape of the pyramid and state the
reasons for the peculiar shape of the pyramid

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………